(anc. Sequana), a river of France, rises in the department of Cote d'Or, in the heights of Langres, which separate it from the valley of the Saône. The general direction of its course throughout is towards the N.W.; but it has many curves and windings. It traverses the departments of Aube, Seine-et-Marne, Seine-et-Oise, Eure, and Seine-Inférieure; and falls into the English Channel by a wide estuary, south of Havre. Its whole length is 470 miles, though the distance in a straight line from its source to its mouth is only 270. The river is navigable for large vessels up to Rouen, and for boats as far as Méry, below Troyes, 380 miles from its mouth; but by means of a canal, vessels may ascend as far as Troyes. There are falls at Nogent-sur-Seine; but these are surmounted by locks.

The waters of the Seine are connected by means of canals with those of the Rhone, the Loire, and the Scheldt. The chief affluents of the rivers are, from the right, the Aube, the Marne, with its tributary the Ourcq, the Oise, and the Epte; and from the left the Yonne, Loing, Eure, and Risle. It flows through a rich and beautiful region of hill and dale, studded with many splendid mansions, picturesque villages, and busy towns. The principal of the latter that stand on its margin are Chatillon, Bar-sur-Seine, Troyes, Nogent-sur-Seine, Melun, Paris, Mantes, Rouen, and Havre. None of the rivers of France are more abundantly stocked with fish. The elevation of the Seine at its source is 1426 feet above the sea, and the greater part of its fall takes place in the upper part of its course; for at Troyes it is only 330 feet above the sea. Its width at Paris is from 300 to 500 feet, and at its mouth about 7 miles. Owing to the comparatively small incline of its course, the Seine flows with a smooth gentle current, and is not subject to violent inundations. Its estuary is somewhat encumbered with shifting sand-banks; and like that of some other rivers, is exposed every tide to a huge perpendicular wave from the sea, called the barra or bore. In a commercial point of view the Seine is most important, as it greatly facilitates the supply of the capital both with articles of rural produce from the country in the upper part of its course, and with foreign merchandise from its mouth.

metropolitan department of France, and in consequence the most populous, though the smallest of the whole, lying between N. Lat. 48° 43' and 48° 58'; E. Long. 2° 10' and 2° 35': bounded on all sides by that of Seine-et-Oise. It is compact, and nearly circular in form; 18 miles in length, 16 across at the widest part; and 183 square miles in extent. Of this area, 103 square miles are included within the fortifications of Paris. The surface is, in general, level or undulating; the highest elevations being those of Montmartre and Chamont, the former of which is 346 feet above the sea. The rivers Seine and Marne, the latter of which joins the former within the department, flow, with many bends and sinuosities, through the country. In geological structure the department belongs to the tertiary formation, and contains limestone, gypsum, and marl. Good building-stone and porcelain-clay are also obtained. There are some mineral-springs within the limits of the department. The soil is throughout fertile; and its natural productiveness is increased by a plentiful supply of rich manure from the capital. It is carefully cultivated, and only a few acres out of nearly 120,000 are altogether waste. There are in the department 73,227 acres of arable land, 3857 of meadows, 6960 of vineyards, 3385 of forests, and 625 of heaths. Near Paris fruits and vegetables are the principal crops raised; wine is made, but not of a very good quality; and in the outskirts of the department all the ordinary kinds of corn are grown. There are also extensive meadows, on which sheep and cows are reared. The sheep are, in general, of a common but improved breed, and there are many flocks of merinos. The department is calculated to contain 38,000 horses, 18,000 head of horned cattle, 30,000 sheep, 4000 pigs, &c. Portions of the department are occupied with pleasure-grounds belonging to the capital; such as the park of Vincennes to the east, and the Bois de Boulogne to the west of the city. The manufactures and commerce of the department are most extensive and varied. They are all concentrated in the capital, and are noticed in the article PARIS. Internal communication is facilitated by the two navigable rivers, four canals, and numerous roads and railways, which diverge from the metropolis in all directions. Many of the roads are lined with double rows of lofty trees, and thus form magnificent approaches to the city. Seine forms the diocese of the archbishop of Paris; it is included in the jurisdiction of the Imperial Court at Paris, and contains a civil court, formed of eight chambers, and a tribunal of commerce. It is in the first military division. The arrondissements are as follows:

| Canton | Communes | Pop. (1856) | |--------|----------|------------| | Paris | | 1,174,346 | | Saint-Denis | | 358,034 | | Seineaux | | 197,039 | | Total | | 1,727,419 |

Seine-et-Marne, a department of France, lying between N. Lat. 48° 8' and 49° 8', E. Long. 2° 24' and 3° 32': bounded on the N. by the departments of Oise and Aisne, E. by those of Marne and Aube, S.E. by that of Yonne, S. by that of Loiret, and W. by that of Seine-et-Oise. Length from N.N.E. to S.S.W., about 74 miles, greatest breadth 45; area, 2273 square miles. The surface is broken by no mountains or even hills, but consists of a wide-spread undulating country, with many extensive plains. It is watered by two important rivers, the Seine and its affluent the Marne; the former traversing the south, and the latter the north of the department, both in the same direction, from east to west. There are three other navigable rivers, the Ourcq, the Grand Morin, and the Yonne; the first two falling into the Marne, and the latter into the Seine, all having parts of their courses in the department. Of less size and importance are the Loing, Petit Morin, and Yères, the last having its source in this department. In the centre and east of the country are many artificial ponds for the breeding of salmon. The geological structure of the south-eastern parts of Seine-et-Marne is cretaceous, in the other portions the tertiary strata prevail. Many valuable minerals are obtained in different places. Such are the sandstone of Fontainebleau, the fine millstones of Ferté-sous-Jouarre, the building-stone of Chateau Landon, the potters' clay of Montereau, &c. The country, however, is chiefly agricultural; and in this respect it is inferior to none of the other departments of France. It possesses a rich soil, and is diligently cultivated. About two-thirds of the whole area, or 917,500 acres, are under the plough; 82,000 acres are occupied by meadows, 47,500 by vineyards, and 200,000 by forests. Of corn, the principal kinds raised here are wheat and barley; rye and oats not to so great an extent. Potatoes, pulse, vegetables, hemp and flax, are also raised. The wine produced is abundant in quantity, but not very excellent in quality. A large extent of ground is occupied by gardens and orchards. Cider is extensively made. The forests abound in game, and supply excellent timber, especially oak. On the meadows and unenclosed pastures, large numbers of live stock are fed. The number of horses in Seine-et-Marne is estimated at 36,000; of horned cattle, 85,000; of sheep, 75,000; of pigs, 23,000; of goats, 2000; of asses and mules, 3600. The sheep, which are mostly of the Merino breed, furnish an important part of the wealth of the country. There are also a large number of cows; and this department contributes to supply Paris with milk and cheese. The manufactures are various, but of no great importance. Among them are the pottery of Montereau, the paper of Marais, calico, leather, hardware, and other articles. Many of the people are employed in the quarries. An active trade is carried on in this department in the agricultural produce of the country, which is sent to Paris; also in cheese, timber, wool, manufactured goods, &c. Besides its five navigable rivers, the department is traversed by three railways, leading from Paris to Strasbourg, Mulhouse, and Lyons, respectively, as well as by numerous roads. Seine-et-Marne forms the diocese of Meaux, and is under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Court at Paris. It contains 5 primary courts and 3 tribunals of commerce; 4 colleges, and 577 elementary schools. It is included in the first military division. The capital is Melun, and the five arrondissements are as follows:

| Canton | Commune | Pop. (1866) | |--------|---------|-------------| | Melun | | 6 | | Fontainebleau | | 7 | | Meaux | | 7 | | Conflans | | 4 | | Provins | | 5 | | Total | | 29 |